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Better Call Paul

Lola Media
Netflix
Diddy
Streaming Services
Disney
Super Bowl
NCAA
NFL
Paramount
Warner Brothers Discovery
FCC
Warner Bros. Discovery
Hollywood
Taylor Swift
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Youtube
NBA
AI In Entertainment
Box Office
Emmys
Fantastic Four

Hosted by former Marvel entertainment lawyer Paul Sarker and entertainment enthusiast Mesh Lakhani, Better Call Paul will delve into the business and legal issues at play behind the glitz and glam. This show takes you beyond the catchy headlines to find out what’s really at play behind the scenes and gives you an introduction to the business side of show business.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes223Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Entertainment NewsNewsTV & Film

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Artwork for Better Call Paul

Latest Episodes

This week, Paul welcomes Jessica back into her co-hosting chair as they wrap up the summer. They begin with a recap of Drake's sale of a controlling interest in his clothing and lifestyle brand, OVO, to Authentic Brands Group. Next, they discuss Love... more

This week, Paul and Sean interview one of Sean's former Columbia Business School students who co-founded Storeel, a vertical drama distributor and production platform that enables users create their own vertical dramas using cutting-edge technology. more

This week, Paul and Sean begin with an update on the potential Skydance/Paramount WBD merger that has polarized Hollywood. While federal regulators have signed off on the deal, 12 states are suing to block it and a few major financial penalties hang ... more

This week, Paul and Sean begin with the recent development that several prominent SVOD platforms are exploring adding a free tier to expand their subscription funnel and sell increased advertising revenue. Next, they discuss a study released by Amper... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Prof. G
Guest, professor referenced in discussion
Episode: 530. SVOD's Ponder Free Tier, Media Consumption Survey, and WGA Analyzes Writer Economy
Curry Barker
Filmmaker, Gen Z creator who made Obsession
Blumhouse co-production for Obsession
Episode: 521: DOJ Vets Paramount + WBD; NJ's Film and TV Production Boom; and Curry Barker Has Hollywood Obsessed
Katrien Grobler
Founder of Twinnin, AI/LIC and marketing tech entrepreneur
Twinnin; AICat
Episode: 514. NCAA Eligibility Proposal, Entertainment Layoffs, and Twinnin's Launch
Shashank Gupta
Co-owner of Nazranaa, largest retailer of Indian garments in the U.S.
Nazranaa
Episode: 445. Shashank Gupta: Fashion Executive and YouTube Creator
Gaurav Gupta
Founder of Squanto, an app that connects performers to gigs
Squanto
Episode: 434. Gaurav Gupta: Squanto
Jessica David
Beautiful, talented, and intelligent replacement for Mesh Lakhani
Episode: 429. Fantastic Four and San Diego Comic Con, Skydance gets FCC approval
Ross Benes
Marketing Analyst and Author of '1999: The Rise of Low Culture'
eMarketer
Episode: 410. Ross Benes, Marketing Analyst and Author
Eric Perko
CEO of Apollo Partners and expert in advertising and media strategy
Apollo Partners
Episode: 409. Eric Perko, CEO Apollo Partners
Goldwyn Harper
Television Executive, Sports Executive
Episode: 404. Goldwyn Harper Interview: How Television Broke College Sports

Hosts

Paul Sarker
Host with Marvel entertainment-law background, focused on legal and business aspects of show business.
Jessica David
Co-host with industry insider perspective on entertainment business, contracts, and media strategy.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 48 ratings
  • JK

    Paul isn’t actually my lawyer, but after the disclaimer, I want him to represent me. Always an entertaining cast about entertainment and a little sports.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    peterh7
    United States2 years ago
  • Absolutely outstanding

    This guy Paul is top notch - I really can’t express how much I love this show and how useful it is. Highly recommended !!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jeremy Cott
    United States3 years ago
  • Smart and informative!

    Paul and Mesh have great chemistry. I really enjoy their engaging discussions about the entertainment industry, pop culture, and the intersections with law. I find myself learning a lot and jotting down notes on what to watch. I listen to a LOT of podcasts and this one is now one of my favorites. This podcast is so interesting and entertaining with a hint of nerdiness - I love it. Bravo-keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FeedMePods
    United States4 years ago
  • Wow the algorithm really got this one right for me

    This is a perfect intersection of a few of my podcast interests: the media and entertainment industry, law, and two people having an engaging conversation. The hosts have insider knowledge without being too exclusionary, and they have good takes on the latest gossipy topics without delving into page six-like speculation. A bonus - I absolutely hate sports and hearing about sports, unless it’s these two talking about it!

    Just an overall solid podcast, I look forward to it every week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BellaFranklin
    United States4 years ago
  • Learn something

    Without the fillers. Super well edited and insightful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    longtimelistenerandfan12345667
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates the balance of entertainment context with legal and regulatory analysis.
Listeners praise the hosts' chemistry and insider knowledge.
The show is seen as informative and practical for dealmaking in media.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

507. AI Video Generators Leap Forward; Swaps or Sports Betting
Q: What distinguishes a swap from a sports bet?
Kalshi argues that their contracts are swaps, not bets, because they trigger payments based on events with economic consequences, unlike standard sports betting.
507. AI Video Generators Leap Forward; Swaps or Sports Betting
Q: Have you seen these clips?
Jessica discusses seeing AI videos on TikTok, stating that while some are recognizable as fake, many look very realistic.
434. Gaurav Gupta: Squanto
Q: What was the light bulb moment for you going from an employee engineer to an entrepreneur?
I realized that many entrepreneurs have a seed in the back of their mind that takes time to germinate.
428. Emmy Nominations and Upfront Ad Commitments Close
Q: What are Paul and Mesh's thoughts on Disney's recent advancements in animatronics?
They think it's impressive technology and see potential for future applications in theme parks, discussing a balance between interaction and realism.
428. Emmy Nominations and Upfront Ad Commitments Close
Q: What are the major themes driving ad sales for networks?
The major theme is that sports is driving ad sales, highlighted by NBCU's record number of ad commitments during their upfront cycle due to major events like the Olympics and the Super Bowl.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Better Call Paul

What is Better Call Paul about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show discusses the business and legal forces shaping entertainment, mergers, streaming strategy, and regulatory questions through a practical, industry-insider lens. Episodes frequently cover box office dynamics, studio moves, IP and copyright issues, sports and media rights, and the evolving roles of platforms in distribution. A standout element is the hosts' willingness to blend sharp legal analysis with hands-on industry anecdotes, creating actionable insights for professionals navigating media deals, licensing, and strategy. The format often includes timely debunking of headlines, practical takeaways for dealmakers, and occasional brand promos that thread sponsorship into the conversation. Potential listeners will likely find value... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Better Call Paul?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Better Call Paul:

1. The Town with Matthew Belloni
2. SmartLess
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. On Purpose with Jay Shetty

How many episodes of Better Call Paul are there?

Better Call Paul launched 5 years ago and published 223 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Better Call Paul?

Recent guests on Better Call Paul include:

1. Prof. G
2. Curry Barker
3. Katrien Grobler
4. Shashank Gupta
5. Gaurav Gupta
6. Jessica David
7. Ross Benes
8. Eric Perko

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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